Infographics in support of decision-making of well-being and health promotion

Abstract

Abstract The promotion of population well-being and health is a complex phenomenon. Extensive information is needed for the related decision-making in order to understand the current state, to determine objectives, to agree measures and to assess the impact of decisions. Evidence-based and informed decision-making has been discussed for a long time. The rapid growth in the availability and quantity of information has challenged the perception of knowledge and expertise. Increasing the amount of information in decision-making is no longer the solution to solve various societal phenomena. A new kind of thinking and new practices are needed to ensure that the information used in decision-making continues to be reliable and understandable. In Finland, the knowledge base and use of it in the decision-making of the promotion of well-being and health, have been identified as an important development area. In the Government resolution “Promotion of well-being, health and safety - 2030” one priority is to improve the effectiveness of decision-making. The goal is that, policymakers promote well-being, health and safety and reduce inequality. In order to achieve this, actions will be directed towards decision-making tools as well to ensuring information is up-to date, reliable and understandable. Infographics have become more common and are able to respond in many ways to the development needs of the information used in decision-making. The greatest benefit of infographics is in situations where there is a need to raise a complex phenomenon to the discussion or to present it to the decision-maker closely and quickly. Dialogue is also needed in order to build a common understanding and utilization of information. For that infographics provide an excellent tool. The presentation describes practical examples of use of infographics in supporting decision-making. However, it is also recognized that traditional text-based memoirs, reports and similar documents are still needed.